case study

Question 1

What scale is used to measure tropical cyclones?

Answer 1

saffir simpson scale

Question 2

What hazards do tropical cyclones bring?

Answer 2

strong winds

storm surges

coastal flooding

intense rainfall

landslides

Question 3

Describe the process of a tropical cyclone forming

Answer 3

1. warm air currents rise from the ocean, as it rises more air rushes to replace it
2. updraughts of air contain huge volumes of water vapour from the oceans which condense to produce cumolonimbus clouds
3. coriolis force causes rising currents of air ti spiral around the centre of the tropical cyclone so it resembles a whirling cylinder. Some of it descends to form the clear, still and cloudless eye of the storm
4. as it tracks away from its source it is fed new heat and moisture which makes it more powerfull
5. Once it reaches a landmass it loses its energy source from the ocean. Air pressure rises as temperature falls. Winds drop, rainfall decreases and it decays to become a more storm

Question 4

What was the size, date and location of the Japanese earthquake?

Answer 4

March 11 2011

9 magnitude earthquake

off the east coast of Japan

Question 5

What were some of the long and short term impacts on people for the Japanese earthquake?

Answer 5

short:

15,900 people died

332,000 buildings were damaged

4.4 million households left with no electricity

long:

economy(cost 235 billionUSD)

Japans transport network suffor huge disruptions

tsunami

Question 6

What were some of the short and long term environmental impacts of the Japan earthquake?

Answer 6

short:

land fall

tsunami that was 40m high

800 earthquakes of 4.5 or more were recorded following the main one

long:

plate shifts(pacific plate shifted 20 to 40 metres west)

250 mile stretch of coast dropped by 0.6(bad for stopping the tsunami)

land movement

Question 7

What are some of the preperations for earthquakes in Japan and strategies?

Answer 7

rescue services and healthcare

shelter and rebuilding

tsunami barriers and international aid

earthquake prediction

earthquake proofing the buildings

warning systems

Question 8

What was the size, date and location of the Haiti earthquake

Answer 8

12th of january 25km from the capital with a magnitude of 7

Question 9

What were some of the short and long term effects for the Haiti earthquake?

Answer 9

short:
230,00 deaths

250,000 dwellings destroyed

8 hospitals and presidential palace destroyed
long:
disease and cholera outbreak due to poor sanitation

1 in 5 lost their jobs

people emigrating out of the country

Question 10

responses to the Haiti earthquake

Answer 10

damaged, port so slow

USA sent rescue team and 10,000 troops

bottled water and purification tablets provided

UK government donated 20 million pounds

Haiti became dependant on overseas aid from China and other countries

new homes built new airport built

Question 11

When where and what magnitude was Hurricane katrina?

Answer 11

magnitude 5 that weakened to 3 at landfall in New Orleans and coastal Loisiana in august 2005.

Question 12

What were the impacts of hurricane Katrina?

Answer 12

1,800 died

300,00 homes destroyed

300 billion USD of damage

tourism decreased

80 percent of New Orleans flooded

so crops destroyed

habitats destroyed

Question 13

What were the responses to hurricane katrina

Answer 13

criticism

50 billion USD in aid was given by the government

UK sent food aid

national guard mobilised to restore law and order

Question 14

When where and of what magnitude was cyclone aila?

Answer 14

Bay of bengal on 25th may 2009

Question 15

What were some of the impacts of cyclone Aila?

Answer 15

190 people died

750,000 made homeless

crops flooded with salty water which killed the crops

by mid 2010 200,000 people still living in temporary shacks

loss of 59,00 animals

sickness and typhoid were problems

Question 16

What were the responses of cyclone Aila?

Answer 16

weather forcasting(bad as not many people had access to broadcasts) did not change too much

satellite tech, did not have it prior but announced it was going to spend 150 million USD on developing their satellite technology(expensive)

warning systems increased with campaigns and posters and leaflets and film and volunteers

Evacuation strategies improved such as shelters built in coastal districts